Protective effect of taurine in chlorpyrifos and lead-induced hematological alterations in Wistar rats

• Published in: Toxicological and environmental chemistry 2014-01, Vol.96 (1), p.171-182
• Main Authors: Akande, M.G., Aliu, Y.O., Ambali, S.F., Ayo, J.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Chlorpyrifos; Counting; Cytotoxicity; Distilled water; Erythrocytes; Hematology; hematotoxicity; Hemoglobin; lead; Lead (metal); Lymphocytes; Parameters; Rats; Rodents; taurine
• ISSN: 0277-2248; 1029-0486
• DOI: 10.1080/02772248.2014.922564

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and lead (Pb) are common contaminants that evoke hematotoxicity in rodents and humans. Taurine (TA) is an amino acid with bioprotective properties. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of TA on hematological parameters in rats co-exposed to CPF and Pb. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of 10 rats each. The distilled water (DW) group received distilled water while the soya oil (SO) group received soya oil (1 mL kg −1 ). The TA group was given taurine (50 mg kg −1 ), while the chlorpyrifos + lead (CPF + Pb) group was co-administered with CPF (4.3 mg kg −1 , ∼5% LD 50 ) and Pb (233 mg kg −1 , ∼5% LD 50 ). The TA + CPF + Pb group was co-treated with TA, CPF, and Pb. The treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for four months. Hematological parameters were evaluated after the termination of the study. The results showed reductions in packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, erythrocyte indices, total white blood cell, lymphocyte and platelet counts following co-exposure of the rats to CPF and Pb. The neutrophil counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and erythrocyte osmotic fragility were increased in the CPF + Pb group. It is speculated that TA mitigated hematotoxicity in the rats through its cytoprotective, osmoregulatory, and membrane stabilization properties.